EarlyEd is a NDIS provider, working with families that have children living with disability.
One such way EarlyEd supports the community is through their free MyTime sessions.
At MyTime groups, parents and carers are given the ability to connect with other families, share their experiences, voice their concerns, and learn from one another as their children play.
Children of all ages, with any disability or developmental delay, are welcome to attend the playgroup the runs alongside MyTime.
As EarlyEd is a transdisciplinary early interventionalist organisation, often MyTime sessions will host professional personnel like speech pathologists or physical therapists to offer the opportunity for parents and families to ask questions.
‘Families who may not have the money to be able to support the therapy,’ explains Elise Bulie, MyTime Team Leader. ‘Or they’ve just got questions they want to ask in a relaxed place.’
MyTime is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and coordinated by the Parenting Research Centre. Currently, two groups run weekly in the North Shore – in St Ives and in North Sydney. The spaces are provided by Council, and the play equipment is provided by EarlyEd.
‘There is such a wealth of knowledge in rooms like this, with so many different families with so many different experiences,’ says Elise. ‘Forging friendships is one of the most valuable things when you’re a parent. These families are there to support each other. MyTime facilitates that value of connection.’
Trained facilitators and experienced educators support the children during their play, encouraging them to find comfort in new environments, and with time, parents and carers can remove themselves from the room and become intimate and connect with other families. Playgroup has story time, singing, toys, and craft activities available.
‘It’s about the family, it’s not just about one child. It’s the siblings, it’s the grandparents, it’s the carers, it could be a nanny, a babysitter,’ says Elise. ‘It’s a beautiful atmosphere here at St Ives… peaceful, surrounded by natural trees.’
For more information visit www.earlyed.com.au/our-services/groups/mytime